Learning Menu or

Contract
Directions:
1. Create a learning contract OR learning menu that could be used in your unit. Be sure to
differentiate it across content, process and/or product with attention to your students
interests and learning preferences. Make it kid-friendly so that students get energized
to actually complete the tasks. Include directions the students would follow to complete the
task.
2. In a short narrative, describe how you envision using this learning tool in your unit. Think
about how it will be used and when in the unit you would use it. If you use Internet sites in
your menu/contract, on the menu/contract indicate access through Portaportal (you dont
actually have to create a Portaportal). However, at the end of your narrative list the URLs
for each site you want students to access.
3. Attach this coversheet to your assignment.
Checklist:
Submitted on time (or consulted with Michelle)
Attached this cover sheet to your product
Attached the checklist I created in class
o Looked over criteria on canvas!
Followed all directions
Proofread materials so no errors exist

_X_YES
_X_YES
_X_YES

___NO
___NO
___NO

_X_YES
_X_YES

___NO
___NO

Evaluation Rubric:
Value
Component
You created a tool that is appropriate for the purpose, curriculum content, and grade level.
Content &
You developed an instrument that highly supports and actively engages the students as they learn
Thinking
the content of the unit. Depending on the instrument you chose, you accurately applied the
(20 pts.)
Communication
(10 pts.)
30

elements of good design. You creatively provided a variety of differentiated tasks that were
equally demanding and engaging.
You created materials of the highest professional quality. You paid careful attention to details
such as typing, spacing, layout, clear directions, etc. so the product is visually appealing and kidfriendly.
Total
Comments:

Name:________________________

Learning Contract: The Water Cycle

Throughout the course of our unit on the water cycle, we will have various contract times. During the
various contract times we will be having, you will be completing all six tasks, however the order you chose
to complete them in is up to you. As you complete a task, you will share your finished product (in which
you put 105% effort) with either Ms. Jordan or another classmate and have them sign on the line. Once you
have finished a task, you may move onto another task. If there is not much time left during one given
contract time, you may chose one of the ff you finish early options.
Task #1: My Life as a Water
Droplet
Close your eyes and imagine you
are a water droplet. Visualize what
it would be like to go through a
day as a water droplet then write
a story about your day. Include at
least three activities that you
might experience during a day.

Signed _____________________

Task #2: Water in Rain

Task #3: Memory

Using one of the classroom

computers, access our class
portaportal. Once in the
portaportal, access the water
cycle Brainpop video. Watch the
short video that answers the
question where does all the water
in rain come from. Once the video
ends, chose the option that says
Take the Quiz. Once the quiz
loads, chose the classic quiz
option. Once you complete the
quiz, e-mail your results to me.

Find a partner who has also

chosen to work on this task
today. Come to Ms. Jordan and
get a deck of water cycle
memory cards. Half the cards
have images on them and the
other half have vocabulary
words. Mix up the cards and
place them all out upside down
in a rectangle, square, or
triangle. Take turns trying to
make pairs. Once you make all
the pairs, double check your
answers with the answer sheet
on the front table.

Signed _____________________
Signed _____________________

Name:________________________
Task #4: Hide and Show

Task #5: Pollution

Task #6: Show Your Artistic Side

Your task is to create a hide and

show using the following terms;
precipitation, evaporation,
condensation, melting, and
freezing. Remember that the word
goes on the outside flap. Next you
open to a picture representation.
The last flap should be the
definition.

Using images and words, design a

newspaper article informing the
readers of the affects of pollution
on water. Include tips for how
they can reduce the amount of
pollution that goes into our world.

Using the rectangular paper on

the front table, create a
diagram showing the three
stages of the water cycle and
how they are all connected. Be
sure to add lots of color to your
diagram!

Signed _____________________
Signed _____________________

Signed ____________________

Rules to keep in mind:

Follow our general classroom rules
Use voices at level 2 or below, if our noise level gets too high, we will have to work without talking
When you finish one task, move onto the next task
Ask your neighbor or Ms. Jordan if you have a question
Stay on task and put in 105% effort
Place all completed work in the science tray
If you finish early:
Chose a book from the current topics bookshelf and read to self or a partner somewhere comfortable
in the classroom
Write about how you can change your habits to help conserve more water.
Finish your PBE assignment if you have not yet done so.
Complete any other unfinished or make up work.
Narrative

Name:________________________
I envision implementing this contract at four or five different times throughout the course of the unit.
As I do not know how long a class might be, it could be 30 minutes or it could be a hour, I cant plan
exactly how many days would be needed. I dont see any of the activities taking more than 15 minutes so
if it is a longer lesson, contract time could be a wrap up for any lesson later on in the unit. I think this
contract would definitely be used in the middle or more towards the end of the unit as then the content
would be more likely to be covered. Some of the activities could definitely be used as review for an end of
unit test as well, such as the diagram or the memory game. The hide and show can be used to review for a
test as well. I really like the idea of either a contract for various review activities for any unit. I think that a
menu could be used more for a one day event in the middle of a unit with various short activities.
Links
https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/watercycle/